Mount Mackay National Park Management Statement 2013 Legislative framework Park size: 3,680ha Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act Bioregion: Wet Tropics 1999 (Cwlth) Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth) QPWS region: Northern Nature Conservation Act 1992 Local government estate/area: Cassowary Coast Regional Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1998 State electorate: Hinchinbrook Plans and agreements Far North Queensland (FNQ) regional plan National recovery plan for the Mahogany Glider Petaurus gracilis Recovery plan for the southern cassowary Casuarius casuarius johnsonii 2001–2005 Recovery plan for the stream-dwelling rainforest frogs of the Wet Tropics biogeographic region of north-east Queensland 2000–2004 Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Regional Agreement 2005 Thematic strategies Draft Level 2 Pest Management Strategy Ant-plant Myrmecodia beccarii. Photo: NPRSR Vision Mount Mackay National Park provides a secure habitat for species of significance particularly for the mahogany glider and southern cassowary. Conservation purpose Mount Mackay National Park transferred from State forest in 2005. It protects numerous species of conservation significance and associated habitat for those species. Mount Mackay National Park Management Statement 2013 Protecting and presenting the park’s values Landscape Mount Mackay (724m) dominates the landscape on the park. The mountain is located on the western section of the park, facing Tully and the Tully Gorge National Park. Mount Douglas (339m) is on the eastern boundary of the park adjacent to Djiru National Park. The Tully Mission Beach Road (Cassowary Drive) passes through the park. Vehicles have been attributed to the death of many native animals, including the endangered southern cassowary Casuarius casuarius johnsonii. Regional ecosystems Twenty-three regional ecosystems are mapped within Mount Mackay National Park. Of the 23 regional ecosystems mapped within the protected area, 11 are considered to have an endangered biodiversity status and eight are of concern (Table 1). These are generally those regional ecosystems from the coastal plain that have been extensively cleared for agricultural purposes. Native plants and animals The vulnerable ant plant Myrmecodia beccarii is a vulnerable species. It is primarily threatened by illegal collection and by exotic ants. The lifecycle of the apollo jewel butterfly Hypochrysops apollo apollo is linked with the ant plant and thus they suffer from the same threats. Plants and animals of conservation significance are recorded in Table 2. Birds listed under international agreements are listed in Table 3. Aboriginal culture The Djiru People are the Traditional Owners of this area and their native title claim (QC03/003) covers about half the park on the eastern section. Partnerships Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is responsible for the day-to-day management of the national park. The Wet Tropics Management Authority regulates activity in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The goal of both agencies is to present the area’s values while protecting its natural and cultural values. Traditional Owners are involved in cooperative park management. Other key issues and responses Pest management Mount Mackay National Park is within the Innisfail Level 2 Pest Management Strategy. Fire management There is currently no fire management strategy for Mount Mackay National Park. Other management issues There is a radio tower located on the top of Mount Mackay. Access is only possible by helicopter as there is there is no dedicated road access. 2 Mount Mackay National Park Management Statement 2013 Management directions Desired outcomes Actions and guidelines Plants and animals A1. Continue to protect significant species and habitats. Mount Mackay National Park is managed to protect the species of conservation significance. Aboriginal culture A2. Support the involvement of Traditional Owners in park management. Traditional Owners are involved in cooperative park management. Fire management A3. Create a fire management strategy for Mount Mackay National Park. Fire management protects the species diversity of the park. Tables – Conservation values management Table 1: Endangered and of concern regional ecosystems Regional Description Biodiversity status ecosystem 7.3.3 Mesophyll vine forest with Archontophoenix alexandrae on poorly Endangered drained alluvial plains 7.3.4 Mesophyll vine forest with Licuala ramsayi on poorly drained alluvial Endangered plains and alluvial areas of uplands 7.3.5 Melaleuca quinquenervia and/or Melaleuca cajaputi closed forest to Endangered shrubland on poorly drained alluvial plains 7.3.7 Eucalyptus pellita and Corymbia intermedia open forest to woodland (or Endangered vine forest with emergent E. pellita and C. intermedia), on poorly drained alluvial plains 7.3.8 Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Eucalyptus spp. +/- Lophostemon suaveolens Endangered open forest to open woodland on alluvial plains 7.3.10 Simple to complex mesophyll to notophyll vine forest on moderate to Endangered poorly drained alluvial plains of moderate fertility 7.3.17 Complex mesophyll vine forest on well drained alluvium of high fertility Endangered 7.3.20 Corymbia intermedia and Syncarpia glomulifera, or C. intermedia and Of concern Eucalyptus pellita, or Syncarpia glomulifera and Allocasuarina spp., or E. cloeziana, or C. torelliana open forests (or vine forests with these species as emergents), on alluvial fans at the base of ranges 7.3.25 Melaleuca leucadendra +/- vine forest species, open to closed forest, Of concern on alluvium fringing streams 7.3.40 Eucalyptus tereticornis medium to tall open forest on well drained Endangered alluvial plains of lowlands 7.11.24 Closed vineland of wind disturbed vine forest, on metamorphics Of concern 3 Mount Mackay National Park Management Statement 2013 Regional Description Biodiversity status ecosystem 7.12.2 Notophyll or mesophyll vine forest with Archontophoenix alexandrae or Of concern Licuala ramsayi, on granites and rhyolites 7.12.5 Eucalyptus pellita +/- Corymbia intermedia open forest, or Acacia Endangered mangium and Lophostemon suaveolens open forest (or vine forest with these species as emergents), on granites and rhyolites 7.12.9 Acacia celsa open to closed forest on granites and rhyolites Of concern 7.12.37 Rock pavements and see areas of wet lowlands, uplands and highlands Of concern of the eastern escarpment and central range (excluding high granite areas of Hinchinbrook Island and Bishops Peak) on granite and rhyolite, with Allocasuarina spp. shrublands and/or sedgelands 7.12.40 Closed vineland of wind disturbed vine forest, on granites and rhyolites Of concern 7.12.48 Wind-sheared notophyll vine forest of exposed granite and rhyolite Of concern ridge-crests and steep slopes 7.12.60 Melaleuca viridiflora +/- Corymbia clarksoniana +/- Eucalyptus Endangered platyphylla woodland to open forest, on granite and rhyolite Table 2: Species of conservation significance Scientific name Common name Nature Environment Back on Conservation Act Protection and Track status 1992 status Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 status Animals Aerodramus Australian swiftlet Near threatened - Low terraereginae Casuarius casuarius southern cassowary Endangered Endangered Critical johnsonii (southern (southern population) population) Haematopus fuliginosus sooty oystercatcher Near threatened - Low Hypochrysops apollo Apollo jewel (Wet Tropics Vulnerable Least concern High apollo subspecies Litoria rheocola common mistfrog Endangered Endangered Low Plants Cheilocostus potierae - Endangered - Medium Cleistanthus discolor - Near threatened - Low Hedyotis - Endangered - Low novoguineensis Myrmecodia beccarii ant plant Vulnerable Vulnerable High 4 Mount Mackay National Park Management Statement 2013 Table 3: Bird species listed in international agreements Scientific name Common name BONN JAMBA ROKAMBA CAMBA Haliaeetus leucogaster white-bellied sea-eagle - - - Monarcha trivirgatus spectacled monarch - - - Myiagra cyanoleuca satin flycatcher - - - Rhipidura rufifrons rufous fantail - - - BONN – Bonn Convention CAMBA – China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement JAMBA – Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement ROKAMBA – Republic of Korea–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement 5 .